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Fragrance

Chanel N°5 Eau De Parfum Spray – Review

After nearly a year of silence, my blog’s cursor blinks back at me like an old friend. Life happened, time slipped, but the words never really left me. So, here I am with my reviews on a few cool products I tried. Hope you are going to like it 🙂

Background & Legacy

Chanel No. 5 is not just a perfume — it’s a cultural icon. Launched in 1921 by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel and perfumer Ernest Beaux, it was the first fragrance to bear a designer’s name. Its revolutionary use of aldehydes and abstract floral notes broke away from the traditional single-flower scents of the time. With endorsements by legends like Marilyn Monroe, who famously claimed to wear “nothing but Chanel No. 5 to bed”, it has solidified its place as the epitome of luxury and timelessness.

Chanel No. 5 EDP Review

Scent Profile

Top Notes:

  • Aldehydes
  • Neroli
  • Ylang-Ylang
  • Bergamot
  • Lemon

The opening is instantly recognizable: sparkling, soapy aldehydes that create a clean, effervescent impression — almost like champagne bubbles. The citrus adds freshness, while the ylang-ylang contributes a slightly spicy floral touch.

Heart Notes:

  • Iris
  • Jasmine
  • Rose
  • Lily of the Valley

The heart is undeniably floral, with a rich, velvety blend. Jasmine from Grasse — specially cultivated for Chanel — stands out, along with powdery iris and the romantic softness of rose. This bouquet is abstract, meaning no one flower dominates; instead, they blend into something luxurious and harmonious.

Base Notes:

  • Sandalwood
  • Vetiver
  • Vanilla
  • Amber
  • Musk
  • Patchouli

The dry-down is warm, sensual, and elegant. The creamy sandalwood and vanillic amber give it depth and staying power, while the vetiver and musk ground it. It evolves over time from fresh and bright to a powdery, warm skin scent that lingers beautifully.

Chanel No 5 EDP Review

Longevity: ★★★★☆

Chanel No. 5 EDP typically lasts almost 8 hours on my skin, sometimes more. I have not tried the EDT but I think the Parfum version has even better longevity and sillage.

Projection/Sillage: ★★★★☆

Moderate to strong in the first few hours. It leaves a noticeable but sophisticated trail — assertive, but never cloying or aggressive.

Packaging: ★★★★★

The bottle is a masterpiece of minimalist design: rectangular, clean lines, and an elegant typeface. It reflects Coco Chanel’s philosophy of simplicity and class. The weight of the glass add to its luxury feel.

When & Where to Wear:

  • Occasions: Formal events, evenings, romantic dates, professional settings
  • Season: Year-round, though the richness shines best in fall/winter or cooler spring evenings
  • Mood: Sophisticated, classic, confident

Chanel No. 5 is not a casual or playful scent — it’s commanding, refined, and best suited for occasions where you want to feel polished and empowered.

Price & Quantity:

It is available on Nykaa and on the official Chanel website. In India it is retailing for Rs 11950 and Rs 16750 for a 50 ml and 100 ml bottle respectively.

Who Is It For?

While traditionally marketed toward mature women, Chanel No. 5 can be worn by anyone who appreciates classic, floral-aldehydic compositions. It is not a youthful, trendy scent — it’s for those who appreciate heritage, artistry, and elegance in perfumery. So, if you are under 30, I would not recommend this.

Pros

  • Iconic and historically significant
  • Complex, layered composition
  • Long-lasting and refined
  • Luxurious bottle and packaging
  • A statement of class and confidence

Cons

  • Not for everyone: can feel “old-fashioned” to some due to aldehydes
  • Pricey, especially in Parfum concentration
  • May clash with very casual settings
  • Over-application can be overwhelming

Final Verdict: 8/10

Chanel No. 5 is a masterpiece of modern perfumery. It’s timeless, elegant, and daring in its structure — a bold olfactory abstraction that changed the perfume industry forever. While it might not be love at first sniff for everyone, it’s a fragrance that grows on you with age and appreciation. Owning a bottle feels like owning a piece of fashion and cultural history.

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Fragrance, Product Review

Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia Cologne – Review

If you have read my review of the Wood Sage and Sea Salt cologne of Jo Malone, then you must know how much I love this luxury brand. The USP of Jo Malone’s colognes are that they all carry the freshest, unique and elegant aura about them. One thing about a good perfume is that it always gives a little boost to your confidence and makes you feel good about yourself. I feel that most of the Jo Malone colognes that I have tried, all of them had that kind of quality to be a signature scent. The Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia is not an exception either. I got a trial version of this one when I purchased a full bottle of the Wood Sage and Sea Salt cologne and decided to buy it instantly. So, finally I have added the travel version (30ml) of the English Pear and Freesia cologne to my collection.

Price and Quantity:

The Jo Malone London English Pear and Freesia Cologne comes in 2 sizes, 30 ml and 100 ml. They cost Rs 5900 and Rs 11800 respectively. I bought the 30 ml bottle from Tira. Got a good discount of around Rs 1000. They are available on Nykaa too.

Description:

Command attention effortlessly with the Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia Cologne. This refreshing unisex cologne exudes a fruity fragrance that opens with the sensuous freshness of ripe pears embraced by a delicate bouquet of white freesias. As the fragrance unfolds, the subtle notes of patchouli linger, creating a mellow and enchanting experience. Plus, this long-lasting Jo Malone London cologne keeps body odors at bay throughout the day.

Top Notes:Williams Pear
Heart Notes:Freesia
Base Notes:Patchouli

Key Features & Benefits:

  • Infused with notes of Williams pear, freesia, and patchouli notes for a fruity fragrance
  • Long-lasting formula stays all day
  • Masks body odors to keep you fresh
  • Suitable for use by men and women

All Ingredients:

Alcohol Denat., Water\Aqua\Eau, Fragrance (Parfum), Farnesol, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Citral, Bht, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate Please Be Aware That Ingredient Lists May Change Or Vary From Time To Time. Please Refer To The Ingredient List On The Product Package You Receive For The Most Up To Date List Of Ingredients.

My take on the Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia Cologne:

Jo Malone is a luxury British brand known for their colognes, candles and bath and body products. Interestingly all their fragrances are actually colognes. They do not sell EDTs or EDPs as far as I know. I read that although their products are all Eau de Colognes, the percentage of perfume oil is somewhere in between EDT and EDPs. However, after using it I beg to disagree with this information. More on this later. I got a some sample vials of their other EDCs too and I felt their fragrance profile is very unique and delicate. Something which is very fresh and airy and uplifts your mood instantly. They have the potential to be your signature scent. They have body-creams, body and handwashes based on each of their fragrance profiles so that we can layer them up to have a long lasting impact.

Their packaging is very classy and minimalistic. All the EDCs have silver metallic cap with a transparent glass body. Only the ‘intense’ variation of their colognes come in a black or dark chocolate bottles. The outer packaging has their signature cream and black box, tied with a black luxurious ribbon.

Now coming to the English Pear & Freesia Cologne, the fragrance makes me feel instantly energized. It is quite different compared to the woodsage and sea salt cologne. It has a sweet, ripe fruity punch to it along with the freshness of delicate Freesia. There is a hint of Patchouli but not too overpowering. It has definitely a young feminine vibe, so, I would not call it a unisex cologne. I prefer to wear it during daytime. It is perfect for office wear as well as for a day out. It can be worn all year round but I think this is more suitable as a spring-summer wear.

This cologne does not have the main problem that I faced with the woodsage and seasalt cologne, its horribly less staying power. It has outshined most of the perfumes in this category. It stays for hours on my skin and on my clothes and I can smell it for days.

I really loved this scent. Its juicy yet delicate fragrance makes me a happy soul and instantly gives me a mood boost. If you have tried this cologne, please let me know your views in the comments section.

Here is a list of some of the other perfumes that I have loved

Chloe Nomad

Pahadi Local Rose oil

Elizabeth Arden White Tea Mandarin Blossom

YSL Libre Intense

Jo Malone Wood sage and sea salt cologne

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Chloé Nomade Eau De Perfume – The Peach Diary Review

Hi everyone, posting here after a long break. I have tried out quite a few excellent products during this time and wanted to share my honest opinions on these. So, let’s start with a sweet fragrant one, the Chloé Nomade EDP. This EDP has really surprised me as it was a blind buy. I didn’t know much about this brand but I took a shot reading about some of the reviews and I must say I didn’t make a mistake. The Chloé Nomade EDP is available on Nykaa and on Tira.

Chloé is a French luxury brand which was founded in Paris in 1952. They are originally a luxury fashion brand. Their Chloé perfume is a popular classic around the world. Only carefully selected and high-quality ingredients are used for the production of a Chloé fragrance. This guarantees a premium-quality product and an unforgettable fragrance experience.

Price and Quantity:

The Chloé Nomade EDP comes in 2 sizes, 50 ml and 75 ml. They cost Rs 7850 and Rs 10200 respectively. I bought it from Tira on a good discount (around Rs 1000 off). I bought the 50 ml version and this is going to last me quite long.

Ingredients:

Alcohol Denat., Aqua/Water/Eau, Parfum/Fragrance, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Citral, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate.

Description:

Top Note of this cologne is Mirabelle plum. Heart Note is Freesia. Base Note is Oak moss. The intense, mineral character of the oak moss is shrouded in the voluptuous sweetness of the mirabelle plum. From this freshness emanates a sensation of flowery luminescence carried by freesia. These natural ingredients, brought together by perfumer Quentin Bisch, are highlighted by exhilarating harmonies-just like the feeling of escape, they inspire.

The woody fragrance is a mix of softness and strength: the facets of this floral chypre blow like the winds of freedom. The Chloe woman carries with her a freedom and an immutable, natural elegance. Confident, inspiring, she flourishes through her experiences and encounters, asserting who she is without ever imposing it. This inner strength leads her to embrace otherness. Her gaze turns to other horizons, her energy propels her towards new faces. At this very moment, in this light, facing the unknown, she embodies all the world’s possibilities and this bond to others that erases borders. She leaves in her wake, a fragrance that defines her everywhere she goes, in every place she travels. A perfume in her image … Nomad, just like her.

My take on the Chloé Nomade Eau De Parfum:

Packaging: The glass bottle is very classy, feminine and oozes sophistication. It embodies a signature romantic Parisian elegance. It comes with a golden cap with a tiny leather ribbon around it giving it a look of a prized possession on my dressing table.

Fragrance: The fragrance will make your presence felt wherever you go. It is not super sweet, fruity nor intensely woody but it hovers around somewhere in between being sugary floral with a woody undertone. My husband says whenever he smells it on me, he gets transported to the streets of Paris. Now that is something because he has a sensitive nose and any strong fragrance gives him a headache. Chloé has managed to strike a fine balance between freshness from freesia and the sweet floral essence of the Mirabelle plum along with the intense woody character of the Oak Moss. Overall I can certainly say it smells ‘Different’. It is not something you come across frequently. The perfume exudes confidence of a modern strong woman and this is why it has become my go to choice whenever I need to make an impression.

Performance: Another full marks in the longevity/performance category. It lasts long. I could smell it on my clothes days after I have sprayed it on. Even on my skin it lasts the whole day. I can wear it on a humid day or in monsoon, it stays on. Super happy with the performance.

Did I like it? Absolutely 100% and I already know that this is going to be one of the permanents in my collection (if they continue to make it of course). The scent is very charming and make me feel good about myself. The lasting power is amazing. Of course this is not cheap and it should not be either. However, it is not as expensive as some of the big names in the fragrance domain and it still delivers better than a lot of them. I would give it a 5 out of 5.

If you have tried this EDP, please let me know your views in the comments section.

Here is a list of some of the other perfumes that I loved

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Zara Fleur De Patchouli | Zara Emotions | Review

Hey Everyone! In continuation to my previous posts on Zara perfumes, here is the third installment. Today I am going to write a quick review on the Zara Fleur De Patchouli EDP.

Just to give you the context( in case you didn’t read my previous post),I purchased a couple of Zara perfumes during the recent sale. Most of these perfumes are known to be pocket friendly yet good dupes for some very luxury and popular scents. Also, I was quite surprised to find out that Jo Malone collaborated with Zara and created several EDPs under the Zara Emotions and Zara Olfactive range. Since, I really like Jo Malone colognes in the past, I did not waste much time and picked up a few based on my testing at the store. My first purchase from the Zara Emotions range was the Zara Fleur d’Oranger and the second one was the Fleur de Patchouli. Let’s find out if I like them or regret my purchase. You can check my review on Zara Fleur d’Oranger here.

Price:

The original price for the 75 ml EDP version of the Fleur de Patchouli is Rs 2590 in India. I got the 40 ml bottle at Rs 999 during sale. The UK version retails for 25.99 GBP. They also have it in a travel size(10 ml). I don’t see any other ecommerce websites selling Zara perfumes in India. You will have to get it either directly from the Zara website or from the store. Also, be mindful that if you are ordering it from the Zara website they charge a shipping charge of around Rs 290 unless you are purchasing full priced items and the total cost of your purchase exceeds Rs 2999.

Description:

As Jo Malone notes, “The essence of this fragrance captivates you, daring you to play with its creativity”. This is the motivation behind this creation. The scent reveals notes of peony, patchouli and guaiac wood.

My Take on the Zara X Jo Loves Fleur de Patchouli EDP:

Packaging: The packaging is very minimalistic and classy, quite similar vibe that we get from Jo Malone’s original packaging. It has textured white outer packaging with a white simple box. Within the box, you will find a transparent glass bottle with a black cap. It reminds me of Jo Malone Cologne bottles but the packaging is understandably more minimalistic.

Ingredients: ALCOHOL DENAT. · PARFUM · AQUA · LIMONENE · BHT · LINALOOL · CITRAL · GERANIOL · FARNESOL

It is made in Spain with a 5 years expiry date. Both 90 ml bottle and 40 ml bottle will go a long way and quite a pocket friendly option.

Fragrance: Now coming to the most interesting part. So, before buying the Zara Fleur de Patchouli EDP, I never really heard of it. So, it is definitely not a very popular one, most probably because a lot of people don’t like patchouli that much. However, I would say it is more peony than patchouli. The patchouli in it doesn’t feel too harsh for my nose. It is feminine, sweet with both floral and fruity notes. It has the signature Jo Malone style, minimalistic yet elegant scent. So, if you like more woody or spicy perfume, then you may not like it.

Performance: Its staying power is quite good (the best out of other EDPs in the same range). This one I would say lasts for 5-6 hours on my skin easily. The sillage and projection are both better than other Jo loves X Zara perfumes.

Did I like it? This is a year-round scent as a casual wear. The first time I sprayed it on I instantly liked it. It is great for outdoor activities. I will not call it a unisex perfume. Also, don’t take the ‘Patchouli’ too seriously. It has a very restrained version of ‘Patchouli’. If you like floral perfume with a slightly fruity twist, then you are going to love this one. It is probably not a safe blind buy. So, I would recommend to try it out at any Zara store first. This feels quite a value for money EDP to me. If I had to score it, I would give it a 3.5 out of 5.

Hope you found this review helpful 🙂 Let me know your views in the comments section.

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Zara Energetically New York EDP| Zara Olfactive| Zara Fragrance Review

Hey Everyone! As I mentioned in my previous post, I bought a bunch of Zara Perfumes and here is the second installment of the reviews that I planned to write. So, in this post I am reviewing the Zara Energetically New York EDP.

Just to give you the context( in case you didn’t read my previous post),I purchased a couple of Zara perfumes during the recent sale. Most of these perfumes are known to be pocket friendly yet good dupes for some very luxury and popular scents. Also, I was quite surprised to find out that Jo Malone collaborated with Zara and created several EDPs under the Zara Emotions and Zara Olfactive range. Since, I really like Jo Malone colognes in the past, I did not waste much time and picked up a few based on my testing at the store. Let’s find out if I like them or regret my purchase.

Price:

The original price for the 40 ml EDP version of the Energetically New York is Rs 1590 and the 75ml version retails for Rs 1990 in India. I got the 40 ml bottle at Rs 999 during sale. The UK version retails for 25.99 GBP. They also have it in a travel size(10 ml). In India I don’t see any other ecommerce websites selling Zara perfumes. You will have to get it either directly from the Zara website or from the store. Also, be mindful that if you are ordering it from the Zara website they charge a shipping charge of around Rs 290 unless you are purchasing full priced items and the total cost of your purchase exceeds Rs 2999.

Description:

As Jo Malone notes, “Ignited imaginations will change the world”. This is the motivation behind this creation. The fragrance reveals notes of cardamom, jasmine and sandalwood.

My Take on the Zara X Jo Loves Energetically New York EDP:

Packaging: The packaging is very minimalistic and classy, quite similar vibe that we get from Jo Malone’s original packaging. It has textured white outer packaging with a white simple box. Within the box, you will find a transparent glass bottle with a black cap. It reminds me of Jo Malone Cologne bottles but the packaging is understandably more minimalistic.

Ingredients: ALCOHOL DENAT. · AQUA · PARFUM · LIMONENE · BENZYL SALICYLATE · CITRONELLOL · LINALOOL · BHT · ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE · CITRAL · GERANIOL

It is made in Spain with a 5 years expiry date. For a 90 ml or even a 40ml bottle this will go a long way and quite a pocket friendly option.

Fragrance: Now coming to the most interesting part. So, before buying the Zara Energetically New York EDP I didn’t really read any reviews. I just sprayed it on at the store and the scent seemed very refreshing and actually gave that energetic vibe. I tried on other EDPs as well but this one stayed with me. While driving back home, I could still distinguish this particular EDPs note from the other ones that I tried.

Apart from the very refreshing opening, it is quite long lasting. It is a unisex perfume, not too overpowering but it will make your presence felt. It actually is a mood-booster, justifies the name. I felt the cardamom in it is stronger than jasmine and sandalwood. This gives it a woody and slightly edgy scent but jasmine and sandalwood somewhat tones it down and makes it a bit more aquatic and smooth. It is perfect for daily use and can be worn year-round. You can spray it on generously. I got some compliments when I wore this. What I didn’t like is the dry down. It felt a bit damp, earthy and masculine. My nose didn’t like the dry down part. It felt cheap. Perfumes obviously are very personal and what works for me may not work for anyone else.

Performance: Its staying power is surprisingly quite good. It stays on easily 4+ hours on my skin and days in my clothes.

Did I like it? Yes, it is quite an interesting and unusual type of scent from Jo Malone. Usually her colognes are very different than this one. It is definitely not a blind buy and people may have differing views about it because of the contrast between the opening and the dry down. It is not a common scent. Some may find the opening a bit feminine and the dry down a bit masculine. So, I would recommend to try it first at a store and then only purchase it. I think I am going to repurchase it and in future will try to find something to layer it on with. If I had to score it, I would give it a 3.5 out of 5.

Hope you found this review helpful 🙂 Let me know your views in the comments section.

You can read my reviews on some other perfumes –

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Zara Fleur d’Oranger EDP| Zara Emotions | Review

Hey Lovely People!! Hope you are enjoying a great summer 🙂

I recently purchased a couple of Zara perfumes during the recent sale. Most of these perfumes are known to be pocket friendly yet good dupes for some very luxury and popular scents. Also, I was quite surprised to find out that Jo Malone collaborated with Zara and created several EDPs under the Zara Emotions and Zara Olfactive range. I did not waste much time and picked up a few based on my testing at the store. Let’s find out if I like them or regret my purchase.

My first purchase was the Zara Fleur d’Oranger from the Zara Emotions range, a collection created by Jo Loves. So, actually Jo Malone, the original creator behind the famous fragrance brand ‘Jo Malone’, sold her company to Estee Lauder long back and after that she came up with a second one named as ‘Jo Loves’. If ‘Jo Malone’ is for more matured customers, ‘Jo Loves’ targets younger ones. I loved Jo Malone’s Wood sage and sea salt eau de cologne(EDC) and I simply knew that I have to buy a few from the Jo Loves X Zara collection for sure because the nose behind both of these brands are the same and I quite liked it.

Price:

The original price for the 90ml EDP version of the Fleur d’Oranger is Rs 1990 in India. I got it at a 50% discount. The UK version retails for 25.99 GBP. They also have it in a travel size(40 ml). While writing this review I could not find it available in the Zara India website but it was available in the store. In India I don’t see any other ecommerce websites selling Zara perfumes. You will have to get it either directly from the Zara website or from the store. Also, be mindful that if you are ordering it from the Zara website they charge a shipping charge of around Rs 290 unless you are purchasing full priced items and the total cost of your purchase exceeds Rs 2999.

Description:

As Jo Malone notes, “Royal and regal moments should always be celebrated with orange blossom.” This is the motivation behind this creation. The fragrance reveals notes of orange blossom, neroli and ylang-ylang.

My Take on the Zara X Jo Loves Fleur d’Oranger EDP:

Packaging: The packaging is very minimalistic and classy, quite similar vibe that we get from Jo Malone’s original packaging. It has textured white outer packaging with a white simple box. Within the box, you will find a transparent glass bottle with a black cap. It reminds me of Jo Malone Cologne bottles but the packaging is understandably more minimalistic.

Ingredients: ALCOHOL DENAT. · AQUA · PARFUM · LINALOOL · LIMONENE · HYDROXYCITRONELLAL · GERANIOL · CITRONELLOL · BHT · CITRAL · BENZYL ALCOHOL · BENZYL BENZOATE · FARNESOL

It is made in Spain with a 5 years expiry date. For a 90 ml bottle this will go a long way and quite a pocket friendly option.

Fragrance: Now coming to the most interesting part. So, before buying the Zara Fleur d’Oranger EDP I saw in some Youtube videos that this is quite similar to Jo Malone Orange Blossom which is quite popular among the British Royals. Now I haven’t tried the original Jo Malone Orange Blossom but given that the nose behind these two are the same, I believe they must at least have some similarity.

Leaving the comparison part, if I evaluate this fragrance on its own, I quite liked the opening. It’s bright, citrusy, floral and clean smelling. It is more neroli and less orange. There is not much mystery to it, very linear and perfect for wearing in summer. You can spray it on after bath or wear it in the gym because of its very fresh and clean smell. It is not overpowering at all. Nobody is going to be bothered in your presence after wearing this. The dry down is simply soapy. If you like soapy smell, you are good. If you don’t like it, then it may be headache inducing after a while. The first 30 minutes can feel too much but after that its intensity goes down sharply. Perfumes obviously are very personal and what works for me may not work for anyone else. So, that’s why I am trying to be as objective as possible.

Performance: Its staying power is slightly better than Jo Malone’s colognes which stays on for only 1-2 hours. This one I would say lasts for 3-4 hours on my skin. Surprisingly it stayed longer in my clothes. I could smell it till the next day.

Did I like it? I expected a bit more citrusy punch but I still liked the opening. However, I am not too fond of the soapy smell. The first time I sprayed it on it felt unbearable and I had to spray some other perfumes to overshadow it. Now, I am quite used to it and I have figured the right amount to spray so that it does not bother my nose to much. I don’t think I am going to repurchase it. If I had to score it, I would give it a 3 out of 5.

Hope you found this review helpful 🙂 Let me know your views in the comments section.

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Elizabeth Arden White Tea Mandarin Blossom EDT Spray- Review

Hello! Thanks for dropping by.

Today I want to share my review on the Elizabeth Arden White Tea Mandarin Blossom EDT Spray. The Elizabeth Arden White Tea EDT was actually my first fragrance purchase after I got my first job. So, this is going to be always special. Also, I think when we reminisce, we tend to associate specific scents to particular phases of our lives. Whenever I spray this EDT it reminds me of my initial days of figuring out my life away from my family in an unknown city. At that time I could only afford the 30ml of the Classic White Tea version and I used it quite sparingly. Recently, I purchased the White Tea Mandarin Blossom EDT and this review will talk about that only.

Price :

This EDT is available in Shoppers Stop, Sephora and across various online stores like Tata Cliq, Nykaa or Myntra. The 100 ml version of the White Tea Mandarin Blossom retails for Rs 4800 which is quite affordable if you compare it to other luxury brands. One thing I should mention that they have their original classic White Tea EDT spray along with White Tea Mandarin Blossom, White Tea Ginger Lily etc. There is some difference in pricing for different ranges but not a lot. They have 30ml, 50 ml and 100 ml bottles but I found the 30 ml and 50 ml versions out of stock.

Description:

White Tea Mandarin Blossom evokes an air of festivity. The sparkling pleasure of an ocean mist on warm skin. The tangy sweetness of budding orange poised against the sharp crispiness of the Mediterranean Sea. Warm elegance with an airy freshness. A vibrant floral fragrance with a burst of radiant orange that evokes an air of festivity.

The top notes (the first impression of the fragrance) are mandarin, bergamot, lemon and exotic fruits. The heart notes (the main signature of the fragrance) are orange flowers, jasmine, neroli and white tea. Finally the base notes (longest lasting note) are cedarwood, luminous musks, Osmanthus and Ambrox.

It has a 60 months expiry date from the date of manufacturing.

A little background on the types of perfumes available on Market:

I think a lot of us actually do not know much about the differences between EDT and EDP or what is a cologne vs perfume.

The strength of a fragrance is dependent on the amount of perfume oil that is used. The more oil in in, the stronger the scent and the longer it will last. Understanding the difference between these strengths can help us to choose the right perfume or aftershave.

Eau De Cologne (EDC) uses only around 2-4% of essential perfume oil. So their staying power is 2-3 hours maximum. They have a very light yet fresh fragrance, perfect for summer or if you are going to a gym. Generally EDCs are unisex. The Eau de toilette (EDT) is more concentrated, containing around 5-15% essential perfume oil. Fragrances labelled as EDT will usually last around 3-6 hours but of course it depends on the quantity of perfume sprayed. On the other hand, Eau De Parfum(EDP) usually has around 10-20% perfume oil and so they can last up to 8 hours. EDPs are perfect for office wear. Finally, the ‘perfume’ is the most powerful amongst all with highest level of concentration and usually they are the most expensive ones. These are suitable for the most precious moments.

My Take on the Elizabeth Arden White Tea Mandarin Blossom EDT Spray:

Elizabeth Arden is an American Brand and popular for its makeup and fragrance line. The packaging of the EDT spray is very minimalistic yet elegant. the outer packaging comes in a white textured paper box with mandarin orange blossoms illustrations. The bottle is a simple white glass spray bottle with a square white lid.

Coming to the fragrance profile, as I mentioned earlier I purchased their original White Tea EDT spray and it had a very clean, feminine and subtle floral fragrance. However, on the first spray of the White Tea Mandarin Blossoms, I could identify a strong citrusy smell. It has this zingy vibe to it owing to mandarin orange blossoms that awakens my senses. It is definitely not too overpowering but not so subtle either. If I have to classify the fragrance category, I would say it is a mix of fruity and floral, perfect for an evening wear. It is definitely feminine, fun and fresh. As it dies down, it leaves a warm musky scent with a hint of fruity freshness. One good thing is that it has pretty decent lasting power of 5-6 hours.

Overall, I loved this EDT spray for its value for money and its fun, fresh notes accompanied with good lasting power. If you have tried the Elizabeth Arden White Tea EDT Spray, please share your experience in the comments section.

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YSL Libre Intense Eau De Parfum – Review

Hello! Thank you for dropping by.

Recently, I received the Yves Saint Laurent Libre Intense Eau De Parfum as a gift. Since the time I received the shipping notification, I was waiting with so much excitement to get my hands on it. I have heard so much good things about it. Now, I also need to mention that the YSL libre range actually comes in three variants – the YSL Libre (EDP), the YSL Libre Intense (EDP) and the YSL Libre Le Parfum. The one that I got as a gift was the YSL Libre Intense EDP. So, here is my quick review on the YSL Libre Intense Eau De Parfum.

Price

YSL is a luxury french brand known for its exquisite fragrance line. The YSL Libre Intense EDP comes in two sizes. The 50 ml bottle costs INR 7900 and the 100 ml bottle costs INR 9900 on the Nykaa website. On the other hand, the YSL Libre EDP comes in 4 variants with a slightly less expensive price range and the YSL Libre Le Parfum comes in 3 variants with the highest price range.

Description

This is how YSL describes their Libre intense EDP, “A fragrance like a shout of freedom, the freedom to live everything with excess“. This fragrance is a twist to the their original Libre EDP in a more sensual and magnetic way. It contains signature notes of lavender essence from France and Moroccan orange blossom combined with glowing orchid and warm vanilla to push this perfume to the extreme. YSL’s vanilla is sustainably sourced from Madagascar.

My Take on the YSL Libre Intense EDP

First of all, I was blown away with the packaging. It feels like you are holding a work of exquisite art in your hand. The glass bottle has a sharp silhouette with embellished YSL logo in golden metallic design. The fiery gold color of the fragrance compliments the packaging of the bottle and takes it to a next level. It is one of those bottles which I am going to find really hard to discard once I finish this.

It is well known that French fragrances are a class apart. This YSL EDP is not an exception. If somebody asks me to describe the fragrance profile of this EDP, I would use three words Bold, Sensual and Magnetic. When I first sprayed it on me, I was actually quite disappointed. It seemed too strong and overpowering for my taste. The dual impact of the orange blossom and bergamot were very hard-hitting to my nose. However, after half an hour or so I met a friend and her exact words were ‘Wow, you smell amazing!’ and instantly I smelt my pulse points again and I was awestruck. The magic was in its drying down. It smelt like sensuous warm vanilla with a captivating floral punch to it owing to the dried up orange blossom, lavender and orchid accord. It is super addictive. For the entire evening my mind was captured by this scent. Also, kudos to its longevity. I could literally smell it the next morning as well.

It has become one of my favourite scents of all time. I am not sure if it is a unisex fragrance. It is somewhere in between earthy masculine and bold feminine. I find it is more suitable for an evening wear or for Winter. In Indian Summer, I will recommend to stay away from it as it may seem a bit too strong. I am usually inclined to more subtle and airy fragrance. However, Liber Intense EDP definitely stretched my boundary. It offers a powerful mix of confidence, luxury and magnetism. It will make your presence felt. It has a more matured vibe compared to airy, fresh feminine scents.

If you are planning to buy the YSL Libre Intense EDP, I will say go for it. You are not going to regret it. Just keep in mind that that less is more and wait for it till it dries down.

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Fragrance, Product Review

Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt Cologne -Review

Based on a friend’s rave recommendation I recently purchased the Wood Sage and Sea Salt cologne from Jo Malone and I must say I couldn’t agree more with her. This cologne has become my absolute favourite and I also gifted one to my mom on Mother’s Day. In India, I found Jo Malone only on Nykaa. So, let’s get into my honest opinion on this cologne.

Price and Quantity:

The Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne comes in 4 sizes, 9 ml, 30 ml, 50 ml and 100 ml. They cost Rs 1750, Rs 5500, Rs 6600 and Rs 10800 respectively. I bought it from Nykaa. I did not find it on any other website or offline stores. Nykaa has a good policy for first-time buyers of this cologne so that you can try the mini version first and then go for the full-size version at a discount. I purchased the 9 ml bottle for Rs 1750 and when I bought the 100 ml bottle I got the Rs 1750 discount along with a few free sample-size vials of their other colognes.

Description:

Escape the everyday along the windswept shore. Waves breaking white, the air fresh with sea salt and spray. Alive with the mineral scent of the rugged cliffs. Mingling with the woody earthiness of sage. Lively, spirited and totally joyful.

Top Note of this cologne is Ambrette Seeds. Their textural quality wraps the fragrance with an aura of sophistication. Heart Note is Sea Salt. The crunchy nature of sea salt brings both texture and a sense of freshness. Base Note is Sage. Woody with earthy, aromatic tones that bring a natural depth.

A little background on the types of perfumes available on Market:

I think a lot of us actually do not know much about the differences between EDT and EDP or what is a cologne vs perfume.

The strength of a fragrance is dependent on the amount of perfume oil that is used. The more oil in in, the stronger the scent and the longer it will last. Understanding the difference between these strengths can help us to choose the right perfume or aftershave.

Eau De Cologne (EDC) uses only around 2-4% of essential perfume oil. So their staying power is 2-3 hours maximum. They have a very light yet fresh fragrance, perfect for summer or if you are going to a gym. Generally EDCs are unisex. The Eau de toilette (EDT) is more concentrated, containing around 5-15% essential perfume oil. Fragrances labelled as EDT will usually last around 3-6 hours but of course it depends on the quantity of perfume sprayed. On the other hand, Eau De Parfum(EDP) usually has around 10-20% perfume oil and so they can last up to 8 hours. EDPs are perfect for office wear. Finally, the ‘perfume’ is the most powerful amongst all with highest level of concentration and usually they are the most expensive ones. These are suitable for the most precious moments.

My take on the Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne:

Jo Malone is a luxury British brand known for their colognes, candles and bath and body products. Interestingly all their fragrances are actually colognes. They do not sell EDTs or EDPS. I read that although their products are all Eau de Colognes, the percentage of perfume oil is somewhere in between EDT and EDPs. However, after using it I beg to disagree with this information. More on this later. I got a some sample vials of their other EDCs too and I felt their fragrance profile is very unique and delicate. Something which is very fresh and airy and uplifts your mood instantly. They have the potential to be your signature scent. They have body-creams, body and handwashes based on each of their fragrance profiles so that we can layer them up to have a long lasting impact.

Their packaging is very classy and minimalistic. All the EDCs have silver metallic cap with a transparent glass body. Only the ‘intense’ variation of their colognes come in a black or dark chocolate bottles. The outer packaging has their signature cream and black box, tied with a black luxurious ribbon.

Now coming to the Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne, the fragrance will instantly make you feel that you have entered a five-star hotel or a luxurious spa. It is probably the most unique, distinctively refreshing and airy cologne among all other colognes by Jo Malone. It is sexy yet not overpowering, delicate yet not too floral. If you find musky scents too masculine and floral scents to be too feminine, then this Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne has got the perfect balance. This makes it a perfect unisex cologne. I can wear it anywhere both at the daytime or at night. It is perfect for office wear as well as for a date night.

Now coming to the main problem with this cologne is that it does not stay for more than an hour or two. That’s really embarrassing. Before buying the 100 ml version, I bought the mini version and I was so mesmerized with the scent, I totally ignored its absolutely ridiculous staying power. After spending almost 10K(INR) on it, I definitely felt I didn’t get bang for my buck. So, basically I need to reapply it when I am out. One advice I got that if I layer the cologne with shower gel or moisturizer from similar fragrance profile, it will hold the scent longer. Now, Jo Malone’s body wash and body creams again are very pricey. So, I try to use sea salt based moisturizer from other pocket friendly brands.

Still, I would say I really loved this scent. This subtle marine vibe to the scent totally frees my spirit and instantly gives me a mood boost. I would be absolutely thrilled if Jo Malone comes up with EDTs or EDPs with better staying power.

If you have tried this cologne, please let me know your views.

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Fragrance, Product Review

Pahadi Local Ayu X Pahadi Local Rose Oil – Review

My recent trek to Bhrigu Lake in Manali got me introduced to a lot of really good quality natural products and I also got to know about this brand called ‘Pahadi Local’ that offers a range of products directly sourced from the Himalayas, consisting of body oil, face oil, face masks etc. They are a brand based out of Himachal Pradesh but their products are available on their website, Nykaa and even on Amazon. I really wanted to try as many products as possible to test the luxurious natural goodness infused in all of their products and hence, picked up a few. In this post, I am going to do a review of their Rose oil which I absolutely loved.

Ayu X Pahadi Local Rose Oil

Price and Quantity: You can say that Pahadi Local’s products fall in the semi-luxury range. It is not too out of budget but not exactly pocket friendly as well. The rose oil comes in a 10ml roll-on variant and it retails for INR 575.

Packaging: The rose oil comes in a glass roll-on bottle which is very travel friendly. I can throw it in my purse or just slide it inside my pocket. When I first received the product, there was a little bit of leakage. I think the bottle cap was not appropriately locked but now it works fine.

Product Description ( as mentioned on the website): The pure goodness of damask roses is distilled into a bottle as a tribute to this fabled bloom. Traditionally associated with mystical qualities that nurture the heart, offering protection and infinite love, Ayu x Pahadi Local Rose Oil can be a very calming and beautiful ritual to end your beauty routine, both am and pm.

Features:

  • Fragrant rose oil that feels calming to the senses
  • Enriched with the goodness of rose oil
  • Can be used during day or night
  • Suitable for all skin types

My take on the Ayu x Pahadi Local Rose Oil:

  • This rose oil smells amazing. The fragrance is quite long-lasting; some may feel it is a bit strong. Whenever I wore it, people around me could smell it. Now for some people who are really sensitive, I would recommend trying it first. Unfortunately, they do not have a trial version. So, it can be tricky if you spend the money and do not like the product.
  • I personally feel that it has a very calming effect on my nerves. I apply it behind my ears in the evening and go for a walk and I feel very relaxed. Be mindful of the quantity you are using because the entire house starts smelling like rose instantly 😀
  • Price wise I find it reasonable because one bottle will go a long way but I only wish they release some sort of a tester which will allow people to test the strength of smell and then purchase it.

Please let me know if you have tried this rose oil and your take on this in the comments section. Have a nice day 🙂

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